Blockchain Cookies Policy

Last Updated: May 24, 2018

The Blockchain group of companies ("Blockchain") use cookies, pixel tags, web beacons, mobile device IDs and similar files or technologies to collect and store the information we automatically collect about your computer, device, and use of the websites operated by Blockchain ("Websites"). You can find out more about cookies and how to control them in the information below.

If you do not accept the use of these cookies, please disable them using the instructions in this cookie policy, by following the 'opt-out' links provided below or by changing your browser settings so that cookies from the Websites cannot be placed on your computer or mobile device.

1. What is a cookie?

Cookies are text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded to your computer or mobile device when you visit a certain webpage. Cookies are then sent back to the originating webpage on each subsequent visit, or to another webpage that recognises that cookie. Cookies are widely used in order to make the Websites work, or to work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the Website.

Cookies do lots of different jobs, like letting you navigate between pages efficiently, remembering your preferences, and generally improving the user experience. Cookies may tell us, for example, whether you have visited the Websites before or whether you are a new visitor. They can also help to ensure that adverts you see online are more relevant to you and your interests.

There are two broad categories of cookies:

First party cookies, served directly by us to your computer or mobile device.

Third party cookies, which are served by a third party on our behalf. We use third party cookies for [functionality, performance / analytics, advertising and social media purposes].

Cookies can remain on your computer or mobile device for different periods of time. Some cookies are 'session cookies', meaning that they exist only while your browser is open. These are deleted automatically once you close your browser. Other cookies are 'permanent cookies', meaning that they survive after your browser is closed. They can be used by the Websites to recognise your computer when you open your browser and browse the Internet again.

2. How do we use cookies?

We use cookies to:

track traffic flow and patterns of travel in connection with the Websites;

understand the total number of visitors to our Website on an ongoing basis and the types of internet browsers (e.g. Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer) and operating systems (e.g. Windows or Mac OS) used by our visitors;

monitor the performance of the Websites and to continually improve them;

customise and enhance your online experience; and

enable Blockchain and third-party to advertise both on and off the Websites.

3. What types of cookies do we use?

The types of cookies used by us and our partners in connection with the Websites can be classified into one of five categories, namely 'essential Websites cookies', 'functionality cookies', 'analytics and performance cookies', 'advertising cookies', and ' social media cookies'. We've set out some further information about each category, and the purposes of the cookies we and third parties set in the following table.

Type of cookie

What it does

How to block

Cookies necessary for essential Websites purposes

These cookies are essential to provide you with the Websites and any services available through the Websites and to use some of their features, such as access to secure areas. Without these cookies, services you have asked for, like transactional pages and secure login accounts, would not be possible.

Please see the instructions set out in 'How to control or delete cookies' below.

Functionality Cookies

Functionality cookies record information about choices you've made and allow us to tailor the Websites to you. These cookies mean that when you continue to use or come back to the Websites, we can provide you with our services as you have asked for them to be provided. For example, these cookies allow us to:

Save your location preference if you have set your location on your homepage, if applicable, in order to receive a local weather forecast;

Remember settings you have applied, such as layout, text size, preferences, and colors;

Show you when you are logged in; and

Store accessibility options.

Please see the instructions set out in 'How to control or delete cookies' below.

Performance / Analytics Cookies

We use performance/analytics cookies to analyze how the Websites are accessed, used, or is performing in order to provide you with a better user experience and to maintain, operate and continually improve the Websites. For example, these cookies allow us to:

Better understand our Websites visitors so that we can improve how we present our content;

Test different design ideas for particular pages, such as our homepage;

Collect information about Websites visitors such as where they are located and what browsers they are using;

Determine the number of unique users of the Websites;

Improve the Websites by measuring any errors that occur; and

Conduct research and diagnostics to improve product offerings.

Please also see the instructions set out in 'How to control or delete cookies' below.

Advertising and Tracking Cookies

As you use our Websites, you will notice that they feature advertising. We allow third party companies, including advertising companies, to place cookies on our Websites. These cookies enable such companies to track your activity across various sites where they display ads and record your activities so they can show ads that they consider relevant to you as you browse the Internet. These cookies are anonymous -- they store information about the content you are browsing, but not about who you are.

Cookies also allow us and third parties to know whether you've seen an ad or a type of ad, and how long it has been since you've last seen it. This information is used for frequency capping purposes, to help tailor the ads you see, and to measure the effectiveness of ads.

All the ad companies or networks that we work with have their own privacy policies and offer a mechanism for users to opt out tracking and behavioral targeting available through the ad itself or through the opt out mechanisms listed in the 'How to control or delete cookies' section below.

Social Media Cookies

On some pages of our Websites, third parties that provide applications through our Websites may set their own anonymous cookies in order to track the success of their applications or customize applications for you. For example, when you share an article using a social media sharing button on our Websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, or Google Plus), the social network that has created the button will record that you have done this. Because of how cookies work, we cannot access these cookies, nor can the third parties access the data in cookies used by us. Some pages of our Websites may also contain embedded content, such as video content from YouTube, and these sites may set their own cookies.

Please see the instructions set out in 'How to control or delete cookies' below.

4. How to control or delete cookies

You have the right to choose whether or not to accept cookies and we have explained how you can exercise this right below. However, please note that if you choose to refuse cookies you may not be able to use the full functionality of our Websites.

Most browsers allow you to change your cookie settings. These settings will typically be found in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser. In order to understand these settings, the following links may be helpful, otherwise you should use the “Help” option in your browser for more details.

Please bear in mind that there are many more companies listed on these sites than those that drop cookies via the Websites.

5. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We will occasionally update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices and services. When we post changes to this Cookie Policy, we will revise the "Last Updated" date at the top of this Cookie Policy. If we make any material changes in the way we collect, use, and/or share information held in cookies, we will notify you by prominently posting notice of the changes on the Websites. We recommend that you check this page from time to time to inform yourself of any changes in this Cookie Policy or any of our other policies.

6. Need More Information?

If you would like to find out more about cookies and their use on the Internet, you may find the following links useful:

7. Cookies that have been set in the past

If you have disabled one or more Cookies, we may still use information collected from cookies prior to your disabled preference being set, however, we will stop using the disabled cookie to collect any further information.

8. Contact us

If you have any questions or comments about this cookies policy, or privacy matters generally, please contact us via email at [email protected] or the address provided below: